🧠 Part 7 – Mastering Conditions in Python: If, Else, Elif and a Bit of Magic

Now it’s time to let logic do the heavy lifting. Think about those “if it rains, I’ll take an umbrella” situations. Well, Python faces decisions too — and we guide it using conditionals.

🔑 Today’s keywords: if, else, elif

These little words help Python choose its path, depending on what’s going on.

💡 How do they work?

Imagine a smart gate. It opens if you have the key. If you don’t, it won’t budge. In code, it’s this simple:

key = True

if key:
    print("Gate is open!")
else:
    print("No key, no entry.")

Pretty clear, right? But let’s spice it up a bit.

🔄 What if there are more than two choices?

That’s where elif (short for else if) jumps in. It’s like saying, “if not this, maybe that”:

grade = 8

if grade >= 9:
    print("Excellent!")
elif grade >= 7:
    print("Very good!")
elif grade >= 5:
    print("Average.")
else:
    print("Needs improvement...")

🔁 Python checks each condition from top to bottom. The first one that’s true wins — and it skips the rest.

⚠️ Watch your indentation!

Python is picky about spacing. If you don’t align the blocks properly, it’ll throw a fit (aka an error):

age = 18

if age >= 18:
    print("You can vote!")
    print("And drive too!")

🧠 Pro tip: use 4 spaces per block or set your editor to do it automatically.

🛠️ Mini Challenge

Try to create a program that checks if someone can apply for a driver’s license:

age = int(input("How old are you? "))

# Now add conditions:
# - If 18 or older: "You can apply for a license!"
# - If under 18: "You need to wait a bit."

🔍 Learn more:

• Official Python Docs – If Statements
• Free YouTube Course – Programming with Mosh
• Practice with W3Schools

If you liked it, share with someone learning Python from scratch. 🚀

Andre M.K.